Patent US5489299A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5489299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Treatment of presbyopia and other eye disorders
Assignee: Refocus Ocular Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-22
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Granted: 1996-02-06
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Expires: 2013-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Presbyopia and hyperopia are treated by a method which increases the amplitude of accommodation by increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle in the presbyopic eye. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can be increased by expanding the sclera in the region of the ciliary body. This expansion is accomplished by suturing to the sclera a relatively rigid band having a diameter slightly greater than that of the sclera in the region of the ciliary body, by weakening the sclera overlying the ciliary body, by surgical procedures or treatment with enzymes, heat or radiation, whereby intraocular pressure expands the weakened sclera, or by surgical alloplasty. The effective working distance of the ciliary muscle can also be increased by shortening the zonules by application of heat or radiation, by repositioning one or both insertions of the ciliary muscle or by shortening the ciliary muscle. Presbyopia is also arrested according to the invention by inhibiting the continued growth of the crystalline lens by application of heat, radiation or antimitotic drugs to the epithelium of the lens. Primary open angle glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension can be prevented/and or treated by increasing the effective working range of the ciliary muscle according to the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Schachar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/147; A61F2/15; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00781; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008; A61F2220/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of increasing the amplitude of accommodation of a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of increasing the amplitude of accommodation of a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of treating presbyopia in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of treating presbyopia in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of treating hyperopia in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of treating hyperopia in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of treating primary open angle glaucoma in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crsytalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of treating primary open angle glaucoma in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crsytalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of treating ocular hypertension in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of treating ocular hypertension in a human eye having a crystalline lens and ciliary muscle comprising increasing the effective working distance of the ciliary muscle by increasing the radial distance between the equator of the crystalline lens and the inner diameter of the ciliary muscle by manipulating said muscle through intervention with external means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said radial distance is increased by radially expanding the sclera adjacent to the ciliary body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said scleral expansion is accomplished by fastening to the portion of the sclera radially surrounding the ciliary body a rigid band having a diameter at least in part greater than the exterior diameter of said portion of the sclera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is implanted below the conjunctiva.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is placed on the surface of the conjunctiva.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by suturing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by stapling.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by at least one clip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by at least one pin integral with said band.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by a plurality of pins integral with said band.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said band is fastened to the sclera by an adhesive.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said scleral expansion is accomplished by inserting beneath the sclera in the region of the ciliary body a band having a diameter greater than the interior diameter of the sclera in said region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said scleral expansion is accomplished by a combination of weakening the sclera and fastening the sclera to a scleral expansion band.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said weakening of the sclera is accomplished by contacting the sclera with an enzyme or an antimitotic agent before the scleral expansion band is fastened to the sclera.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said scleral expansion band is coated with said enzyme or antimitotic agent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said scleral expansion band is impregnated with said enzyme or antimitotic agent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said scleral expansion is accomplished by making a periglobal incision and grafting into said incision a strip of physiologically acceptable material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is a collagen allograft.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is a synthetic resin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is poly(ethylene terephthalate).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said scleral expansion is accomplished by removing a strip of the sclera lying over the ciliary body and grafting into the place of said strip of sclera a strip of physiologically acceptable material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is a collagen allograft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is a synthetic resin.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said physiologically acceptable material is poly(ethylene terephthalate).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said effective working distance of the ciliary muscle is increased by repositioning at least one of the insertions of the ciliary muscle.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is the anterior insertion of the ciliary muscle and said insertion is moved anteriorly.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is the posterior insertion of the ciliary muscle and said insertion is moved posteriorly.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the anterior insertion of the cililary muscle is moved anteriorly and the posterior insertion of the ciliary muscle is moved posteriorly.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is repositioned surgically.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is repositioned by applying heat to adjacent tissue within the eye.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said heat is applied by irradiation with ultrasonic radiation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said heat is applied by irradiation with infrared radiation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is repositioned by irradiating adjacent tissue within the eye with a laser.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said laser is a gaseous laser.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said laser is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide lasers, helium-neon lasers, helium-cadmium lasers, argon ion lasers, krypton ion lasers, xenon lasers, nitrous oxide lasers, iodine lasers, holmium doped yttrium-aluminum garnet lasers, excimer lasers, chemical lasers, harmonically oscillated lasers, dye lasers, nitrogen lasers, neodymium lasers, erbium lasers, ruby lasers titanium-sapphire lasers and diode lasers.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a carbon dioxide laser.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a helium-neon laser.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a helium-cadmium laser.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is an argon ion laser.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a krypton ion laser.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a xenon laser.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a nitrous oxide laser.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is an iodine laser.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a holmium doped yttrium-aluminum garnet laser.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is an excimer laser.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a chemical laser.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is an harmonically oscillated laser.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a dye laser.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a nitrogen laser.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a neodymium laser.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is an erbium laser.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a ruby laser.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a titanium-sapphire laser.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said laser is a diode laser.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said insertion is repositioned by applying ionizing radiation to adjacent tissue within the eye.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said ionizing radiation is x-radiation.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said ionizing radiation is electron-beam radiation.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said ionizing radiation is proton-beam radiation.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said scleral band is attached to the sclera with a suture and said suture is impregnated with an enzyme or an antimitotic agent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-02-05 | 1999-08-07 | 2000-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-02-05 | 2003-08-07 | 2004-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-02-05 | 2007-08-07 | 2008-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |